{
  "id": 18962559,
  "title": "Single iron infusion improved exercise capacity in people with the most common form of heart failure",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/single-iron-infusion-improved-exercise-capacity-in-people-with-the",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-11-08T15:30:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-11-iron-infusion-capacity-people-common.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A single iron infusion improved exercise capacity in individuals with heart failure of the most prevalent type, according to a study by researchers from the Mass General Brigham Heart and Vascular Institute. Published in the 2026 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions and reported in Circulation, the IRON-MET HFpEF trial involved 65 participants with symptomatic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and iron deficiency. Median age was 68 years, with 72% of participants being female. Participants were randomly assigned to receive a 1,000-mg intravenous dose of ferric derisomaltose or a placebo. The infusion, administered intravenously due to poor oral iron absorption in other heart failure forms, resulted in a 10% increase in peak oxygen uptake (VO₂) at 12 weeks in the intervention group compared to no change in the placebo group. HFpEF patients face significant limitations in exercise tolerance, according to lead author Gregory D. Lewis. The study, which marks the first comprehensive evaluation of exercise response patterns to iron repletion in HFpEF patients with iron deficiency, demonstrated that ferric derisomaltose improved multiple exercise capacity measures, including 6-minute walk distance, VO₂ at the anaerobic threshold, and New York Heart Association functional class. However, patient-reported health scores did not differ significantly between groups. No serious adverse events were associated with the iron supplementation. The authors emphasize the need for further studies to determine the benefits of IV iron in diverse populations and over longer time periods.",
  "summary": "A new study by investigators from the Mass General Brigham Heart and Vascular Institute found that a single iron infusion improved exercise capacity in people with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and iron deficiency. The findings suggest that replenishing iron could help address the physical limitations associated with this condition. Results were presented at the 2026…",
  "key_points": [
    "Single iron infusion boosted exercise capacity in HFpEF patients",
    "1,000-mg ferric derisomaltose dose administered intravenously",
    "Study shows improved VO₂, 6-minute walk distance, and functional class"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}